So you have an invention or business idea? Well, lucky for you, that’s where everything we see, own, and use started - as just an idea.

Welcome to IdeaTango’s 10-part series on inventing. In this series of articles we’ll talk about all the steps one needs to turn that idea into a successful product or business. Each series will discuss a critical part of the inventing process, whether the birth of an idea, research you need to conduct, decision processes, where to find the money for your new venture, and how to license or manufacture your product so that it will eventually end up on the shelf of your local Wal-Mart. If there is one key theme that flows throughout this 10-part series, it’s that every step of the way you will need to challenge yourself to learn new things, and make decisions with your newfound knowledge.

Like most products and businesses, we start this series with the idea stage. Believe it or not, even this company, ideatango, started with just an idea; an idea to create a website to help others with their business and invention ideas.

Where to these so called “ideas” come from? And how to I come up with great ideas? It’s easier than you think.

First, take a breath and slow down. Now that you can see the world moving around you, start taking notice of when you’re frustrated with a product or service. BAM! This is where you need to think to yourself, as Donny Deutsch from The Big Idea would say, “There has got to be a better way!” Now stop and think to yourself, how could I make that product or service better? All the ideas in our virtual invention trade show started just like this.

Some pessimists may say that all the inventing has been done. Phooey I retort! Every year great new products come out thanks to creative people with inventive minds. There is always room for more improvement and that pessimist will be wrong, GUARANTEED. If you need proof, go to freshpatents.com and see daily updates of inventions getting published. Or go to Brookstone or Sharper Image and check out all their gizmos and gadgets.

Now that you have this great idea, make sure you don’t forget it! The best thing to do is get in the habit of documenting or writing down your ideas as they come to you. How many times have you thought of something and then later tried to remember what it was, but couldn’t? What if that forgotten idea was the one? Create a system to help you remember all your invention & business ideas. Send yourself an email, keep a “little black book” of ideas, voice record your thought on your cell phone . . . whatever works for you. Just do it!

After a while, you’ll notice your listing getting longer, with better and better ideas. Now YOU have to decide to take the next step, doing something! That something is research.

For more information on how to start the inventing process, read our article “Four Steps to Start Inventing.” You can talk about this topic with other members in our How to Invent discussion forum.

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